508 - Robert Blair: Being Your Authentic Self, Subbing with Wang Chung & Martina McBride, Learning from Nashville’s Legends

Jake Reed was born and raised in Kansas City and went on to study drumset under two of the great educators of our time: John Von Ohlen at University of Cincinnati and Peter Erskine at USC. While in grad school at USC, Jake gradually worked his way into the LA scene doing live dates and recording sessions with colleagues and mentors alike. He has performed or recorded with Bill Bolman, Johnny Mandel, Lisa Loeb, Bob Mintzer, and many others. His most active current project is drumming in TrioKait, led by his wife, pianist and composer Kait Dunton. The group has just recorded their second record. Jake has also just released his first book, “Jazz Drumset Etudes, Vol. I,” which takes a new approach to developing jazz vocabulary. In this podcast, Jake talks about: His early years in Kansas City The differences in the teaching styles of Von Ohlen and Erskine Learning to “pay attention” when listening and playing to absorb and convey more information quicker A couple of the more unique projects he’s been part of, including Cow Bop and The Vibrometers His new book, and how its approach differs from other jazz method books Using melodies, not rudiments, to develop your drum language Being married to a fellow musician who is also his boss His relationship with TrioKait bassist Cooper Appelt Jake Reed endorses Gretsch Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Remo Drumheads.

22 Nov 20171h 21min

Evan Hutchings grew up in Ft. Smith, AR and is the son of a preacher. He started playing drums at age 2 and got his first drum set at age 8. It was through hours of watching other drummers play in church that he learned how to play for a song and try to convey a sense of emotion through the drums. After high school, Evan moved to Nashville to attend Middle Tennessee State University and studied with Lalo Davila and Tom Giampietro. Since leaving school in 2009, Evan has been touring extensively throughout the USA and abroad with various artists including Katie Herzig, Sugar and the Hi-Lows, Griffin House, Andy Gibson, Erin McCarley, and others. Evan is currently an in-demand session drummer in Nashville and has worked in the studio with Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift), Jamie Kenney (Erin McCarley, Marc Broussard), Neilson Hubbard (Kim Richey), and many others like Danielle Bradbery, Rascal Flatts and Kelsea Ballerini. In this episode, Evan talks about: Different drummers style to playing, soloing, clinics Tuning drums live v.s. studio Trends in style and tone in the studio Developing his abilities The idea of complex drumming (ie metric-modulation) as a way to reinforce a solid time feel Our mutual crush on Steve Jordan Playing other instruments for writing and producing Learning to write and produce Finding your people, like minded musicians The direction of the music industry Evan endorses Innovative percussion This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

15 Nov 20171h 26min

Gerald French was born and raised in New Orleans in one of the city’s most prominent musical families. Over his career, he has played with most of New Orleans musical royalty, including Harry Connick Jr., Charmagne Neville, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Dr. John. In 2014, he became the leader of the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. He is only the fifth person to lead the group in its 107-year history, and the third member of his family to do so, preceded by his uncle Bob French and his grandfather Albert “Papa” French. In this podcast Gerald talks about: His annual tours of Japan with Tom Fischer and the New Orleans All-Stars Succeeding his uncle and grandfather as the leader of The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, and the long history of that group Drumming and singing Transitioning from sideman to leader “Being a soldier”, not a star, in the music industry His work as an educator with the Traditional New Orleans Jazz Camp Teaching young musicians how to properly play traditional New Orleans music, and preventing that tradition from being lost or diluted How New Orleans musicians have historically His experience during and after Hurricane Katrina His involvement in the Wild Magnolias Mardis Gras Indians Gerald French endorses Taye Drums, Sabian Cymbals, and Innovative Percussion Sticks This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums.

8 Nov 20171h 23min

Pat Torpey was born in Cleveland, Ohio. At age 7, he first played the drums and in high school, Torpey immersed himself in all available music programs, concert, orchestra, marching and stage bands. In 1983, Torpey moved to Los Angeles and became a regular on the American Bandstand and Solid Gold TV shows performing with artists like Ben E. King, Mike + The Mechanics, Melissa Manchester and Bob Geldof. In 1985, Torpey auditioned for the British pop–rock singer John Parr, who was riding high on his #1 hit “St. Elmo’s Fire” and had landed the opening slot for Tina Turner on her Private Dancer tour. When that tour ended he became the drummer for Belinda Carlisle on her first solo tour, opening for Robert Palmer. In 1987, Pat joined The Knack. Playing around Los Angeles with The Knack was the pathway to Mr. Big. Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert were starting a new band and were on the hunt for a drummer. They saw Pat playing with The Knack and were impressed with his energy and style. Mr. Big secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records but before the band started work on the first CD Torpey was tapped to play drums with Robert Plant on his Now and Zen tour when Plant’s drummer Chris Blackwell was injured. In 1992, Mr. Big’s international hit song “To Be With You” was no.1 in the U.S. and fifteen other countries and top five in many more. For fourteen years Mr. Big toured the world, headlining as well as opening for Aerosmith, Rush, Bryan Adams and The Scorpions to name a few, garnering a reputation for their world class musicianship and totally ‘live’ performances. Pat has been noted as a great backing vocalist (with high vocal range) and he often sings some cover songs in the Mr. Big show during his encore. Also he sings some tunes from The Beatles during his drum solo. Because of Mr. Big’s popularity in Japan and Asia, Pat released two solo albums (as a singer) overseas, Odd Man Out and Y2K in 1998 and 1999. He announced on July 25, 2014 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and would be unable to perform all of his normal drumming duties on the band’s 2014-15 world tour in support of the album …The Stories We Could Tell. “I’ve been dealing with Parkinson’s symptoms for the past couple of years and only recently received a confirmed diagnosis as symptoms worsened,” Torpey said. “I intend to fight the disease with same intensity and tenacity that I drum and live my life by and will continue recording and performing, as always, to the best of my ability.” Torpey recently acted as a “drum producer” on Mr. Big’s latest album, Defying Gravity, and still plays percussion on tour, though Matt Starr has taken over lead drummer duties In this episode, Pat talks about: Touring around the world over the years The early days of Mr Big Meeting Mitch Mitchell Getting his start in L.A. Mr Big questions from David Parks Pat being honored at the Nashville Drummer Jam His diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 2014 Recording and touring with the help of drummer Matt Starr Pat’s inspiration for his drum solo while singing Pat endorses: Promark drum sticks,Remo drumheads, Tama drums, Zildjian cymbals This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

2 Nov 20171h 32min

Ian Chang was born in Hong Kong and moved to New Jersey as a teenager to attend boarding school. He had studied classical piano and percussion in Hong Kong, but quickly became interested in all the other genres New York had to offer. He had begun a pre-college classical percussion program at Julliard, and was on track to attend there after high school, but decided against it at the last minute to focus on drumset, jazz, hip hop, and beyond. He is the drummer for Son Lux, an acclaimed trio whose compositions, recordings and performances are a mix of acoustic and electronic mediums. He was one of the beta testers for Sunhouse’s Sensory Percussion, a new electronic percussion system that gives the drummer an unprecedented range of sounds, sensitivity, customization, and improvisational possibilities. In this podcast, Ian talks about: The process of creating his new solo album “Spiritual Leader” Making electronic music sound less “gridded.” The development of Sunhouse Sensory Percussion, and what sets it apart from other electronic percussion Ways to approach electronics that make them seem less daunting and lower the wall between electric and acoustic How Sensory Percussion has changed his approach to coordination, speed, orchestration, etc. Some musicians’ preoccupation with sound and timbre rather than groove and melody His first exposure to music, an extremely regimented classical program in Hong Kong Chinese attitudes toward a career in music, and current music trends in China His first years in New York – catching the jazz bug and playing tons of hip hop gigs, and how those both contributed to the drummer he’s become The origins of his band Son Lux, and their creative process How music’s focus has shifted from melody, harmony and groove, to sound and timbre Finding ways to use electronics that make the most sense and are the most inspiring to YOU. Ian Chang endorses C&C Drums, Vic Firth Sticks, Istanbul Cymbals, Sunhouse Sensory Percussion, and Roots EQ This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums.

26 Okt 20171h

For more than 24 years, Jeremy Roberson has been perfecting his precise, unpredictable, high-energy style of drumming. Using a combination of techniques, he has developed his own original style, which is as exciting to listen to as it is to watch. His ability to adapt to any genre of music while maintaining precision, timing, and his uniquely smooth style has earned him numerous accolades, and has led him to be known by musicians and fans alike as none other than “Mr. Finesse.” At the age of 3, Roberson, born in Columbia, SC, began honing his skills on the drum set, emulating the style of his older brother Tony, nine years his senior. Before long he began marching with the W.J. Keenan High School Band- at age 11. He continued marching with the band throughout his high school career, eventually gaining regional recognition and numerous awards. After high school he attended Johnson C. Smith University where he furthered his studies and marched on the University’s band. After college he rapidly began to merge into the local, regional, and nation scene, playing with acts such as Tony Terry, Wycliffe Gordon, Crossfade, Weaving The Fate, to name a few. Currently Roberson is touring with country artist Chase Rice. In this episode, Jeremy talks about: The importance of knowing how to running tracks and loops His experience performing in Korea for the troops Knowing John Blackwell growing up and the influence that he had Touring with Chase Rice His approach to soloing Deflecting stereotypes Being selfless on stage The origin of his nickname – Jeremy “Finesse” Roberson Getting the Chase Rice gig Grooving with tracks Jeremy endorses: Zildjian Cymbals, Vater Sticks, Tama Drums, Evans Drumheads, Gibraltar Hardware This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

18 Okt 20171h 27min

In today’s music landscape, Kevin Kanner is a rare breed of drummer; focused intently and passionately on straight-ahead jazz. While many of his generation have looked for ways to widen the scope of the drumset and the role of the drummer, and cross breed jazz with other genres, Kevin’s musical ambition has remained simple and singular: to swing. Like his heroes, Philly Joe Jones, Mickey Roker, his fellow West Coast jazzer Shelly Manne, and his mentor Jeff Hamilton, Kevin brings a fiery but concentrated intensity to the music. This “dyed-in-the-wool” identity has become his calling card and is the reason he has been sought after by the likes of John Pizzarelli, Eric Reed, Walter Smith III, Terrell Stafford, Gerald Clayton, and many more of the best in the current jazz world. Kevin is based in his hometown of Los Angeles, which has a rich jazz history of its own. What it has historically lacked in Kevin’s estimation, is a place for the straight-ahead, take-no-prisoners, small-group, instrumental jazz to which he has dedicated himself for so long. But Kevin and a few equally dedicated cohorts are on a mission to win a place at the L.A. table for the brand of swinging they love. He originated and continues to run a Monday nigh jam session at The Mint in L.A., a venue not otherwise known for jazz, but one that has proven a weekly home for the L.A. jazz community. After performing as a sideman for his entire career, Kevin is also venturing into leading his own sextet. In this podcast, Kevin talk about: Starting and continuing The Mint Jam Forming a close relationship with Jeff Hamilton as a teenager that continues today Learning jazz language through experiencing it in its whole form What all the music he loves has in common The two essential elements he feels jazz must not lose Playing with John Pizzarelli Why he left L.A. and why he returned The strengths and weaknesses in jazz pedagogy Recognizing the differences between different types of jazz, and giving each their due This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums.

11 Okt 20171h 11min

Finding a drummer with the chops and knowledge necessary to recapture a wide range of various styles authentically, is no small task. To make you believe you’re hearing the original recording is even more rare. Jason Harrison Smith does this and so much more. Currently playing simultaneously with Blues legend Albert Lee and guitar virtuoso Carl Verheyen, Jason’s a busy guy and likes it that way. His past credits outline his versatility, including time spent with Enrique Iglesias, Five For Fighting, Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson, Mike Keneally (former Zappa guitarist), guitar legend John Jorgenson, Kelly Sweet, Julia Fordham, Buzz Feiten, Wings’ Denny Laine and many, many more. On his debut solo recording, “Think Like This”, he’s joined by bassist Dave Carpenter and keyboardist/drummer Gary Husband. The music showcases a precocious, updated and unconventional take on the standard Jazz trio format. In this podcast Jason talks about: The business of entertaining the masses Advice for those balancing the day job and a music career Taking time off the road Recording with keyboardist/drummer Gary Husband Inspiring the next generation Jason’s inspirational teachers Working with Mike Keneally (former Zappa guitarist) and learning so much Jason endorses: Innovative Percussion, Aquarian Drumheads, Pork Pie Drums, Paiste Cymbals This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

4 Okt 20171h 25min